From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 377 - 352: A Belated Meeting

Secretary Zhou made a gesture, and the people around him wisely stepped aside. Secretary Zhou wanted to discuss something with Xu Chunliang. He had heard that Huichun Hall’s traditional acupuncture was particularly effective in treating facial paralysis. He had an old friend who had suffered facial paralysis for two years, with unsatisfactory recovery. Having experienced Xu Chunliang’s miraculous massage techniques, Secretary Zhou thought he might have a solution.

Xu Chunliang agreed to accompany Secretary Zhou to take a look. Huichun Hall’s traditional acupuncture generally succeeds in curing facial paralysis, and Secretary Zhou nodded repeatedly, immediately suggesting to take him over the next morning.

Seeing Secretary Zhou being so earnest, Xu Chunliang had already guessed that the patient’s identity must be quite extraordinary.

After scheduling an appointment with Secretary Zhou, Xu Chunliang came to the elevator and saw Yan Jingsong still waiting for him. Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "Still haven’t gone up yet?"

Yan Jingsong said, "I was waiting to chat with you for a bit."

Xu Chunliang got on the elevator with him. Yan Jingsong said, "Do you have time tomorrow? I’ll arrange a car for us to go to Mutianyu for a visit."

Xu Chunliang said, "Tomorrow won’t work, Secretary Zhou has made an appointment." Yan Jingsong’s intention to get closer was too obvious, so Xu Chunliang didn’t plan to go with him even if he had free time. What’s the point of two grown men hanging out together?

Yan Jingsong subconsciously lowered his stance further. What exactly was the relationship with Secretary Zhou? They must be acquaintances, which seemed very unusual.

Yan Jingsong accompanied Xu Chunliang to the sixth floor, and Xu Chunliang reminded him that it seemed like he forgot to press the elevator button.

Yan Jingsong originally intended to follow Xu Chunliang and sit in his room for a bit, but Xu Chunliang didn’t invite him, so he had to pretend to be confused.

Xu Chunliang clearly saw through his intention, said goodnight, and returned to his room.

Just as he returned to his room, Zhao Feiyang called to ask if he had gone to the Dongzhou Beijing Office, and how Fu Guomin had treated him.

As soon as Xu Chunliang heard this, he knew that Zhao Feiyang must have contacted Fu Guomin first; he thanked Zhao Feiyang for his proper arrangement.

Zhao Feiyang laughed, "Old Fu and I are close friends, so I feel assured entrusting you to him."

Xu Chunliang said, "Director Fu did praise you quite a bit."

Zhao Feiyang said, "What’s there to praise?" Both he and Fu Guomin were rather unaccomplished on their career paths. Fu Guomin’s lack of success was due to prioritizing family too much, while his own was because he chose public service over personal interests. However, he believed this unfulfillment was temporary, and one day he would emerge from the predicament.

Xu Chunliang said, "By the way, I met Secretary Zhou today."

Zhao Feiyang had already heard about this from Fu Guomin, so he laughed and said, "This is why young people should get around more. I can hardly meet Secretary Zhou, yet you encountered him soon after arriving in Capital City."

Xu Chunliang said, "I find the Beijing Office really a good place; Dongzhou City’s officials appear here quite frequently."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Officials from Dongzhou are not really considered officials in Capital City." He realized he spoke too much and changed the subject: "I’ve discussed with Old Fu; from now on, whenever you go to Capital City, stay at his place. If there’s anything requiring arrangement, just handle it, and I’ll back you up."

Zhao Feiyang showed apparent goodwill, and Xu Chunliang wondered if this had anything to do with Secretary Zhou. He sensed that Zhao Feiyang might have chosen the wrong path; had Zhao Feiyang stayed in government positions without resigning, perhaps he could have had more room to develop.

When Zhao Feiyang made this call, he was in Nanjiang. He initially planned to see Tang Jingwei but changed his mind upon arrival in Nanjiang due to Xu Ying.

Xu Ying believed what Zhao Feiyang needed most now was calmness. He hadn’t really lost direction, but rather a sense of security. Ever since Zhao Feiyang resigned from public office, he lost his sense of security. Sometimes the ones involved are confused while onlookers see clearly.

Xu Ying’s teahouse had already opened, but business was consistently slow, without any customers at the moment. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Zhao Feiyang sat quietly in the teahouse while Xu Ying brewed tea unhurriedly, listening to him talk about his current situation. Xu Ying thought that by leaving Dongzhou for Nanjiang, she could distance herself from Zhao Feiyang, yet to her surprise, he still sought her when troubles arose.

Xu Ying even thought she ought to move farther away to truly escape certain troubling issues. However, she worried about being too distant and gaining more attachments.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Constantly hearing me talk, aren’t you annoyed?"

Xu Ying smiled indifferently, saying, "I don’t have many friends in Nanjiang. You coming such a long way to chat actually makes me happy."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Am I becoming more like Xiang Lin Sao?"

Xu Ying said, "Feiyang, I have a question: who really owns Changxing?"

The first answer that sprang into Zhao Feiyang’s mind was himself. Although he never voiced it externally, he had long considered Changxing a part of himself. This feeling was quite strange, and he even suspected it to be a latent greed.

In reality, Huayuan Group controlled eighty percent of Changxing’s equity. So, is Changxing Huayuan’s? Not entirely— the city owns twenty percent. Do not underestimate this twenty percent, as it still holds Changxing’s lifeline. Even if Huayuan owned all of Changxing’s equity, on Dongzhou’s territory, neither Tang Jingwei nor Tang Jinglun could take full control.

Xu Ying said, "You feel uneasy because you have too many concerns. Actually, as long as one is alive, there is no absolute freedom. You resigned from public office, seemingly gaining freedom, but forgot the most crucial thing: private enterprise management is much more brutal and callous; they need people who can continuously create value for them."

Zhao Feiyang took a sip of tea, he understood all these reasons.

Xu Ying said, "Xiaoxu was able to gain Tang Jinglun’s trust, not just because of his ability, but mainly due to Tang Jinglun’s need for strategic layout."

Zhao Feiyang said, "Tang Jinglun is slowly diminishing my authority."

Xu Ying said, "You just mentioned Pei Lin is in charge of health checks and medical beauty?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded and said, "I told her not to take it on, but she simply wouldn’t listen."

Xu Ying said, "Why does Tang Jinglun use her then?"

Zhao Feiyang gave a bitter smile and said, "Isn’t it still to restrain me...?" As he spoke, an idea suddenly struck him, proving that at least for now, Tang Jinglun couldn’t do without him. Otherwise, why would he go through so much trouble to bring Pei Lin into the fold? Could Tang Jinglun’s previous cold shoulder actually have been waiting for his proactive move?

Xu Ying read something from Zhao Feiyang’s eyes and sighed, "Feiyang, I shouldn’t interfere in your family matters, but if you can’t even control Pei Lin, I advise you to bow out early."

Zhao Feiyang looked at Xu Ying, "I’m increasingly finding that she’s just a shallow woman."

"Maybe you’ve never truly understood her." Xu Ying filled Zhao Feiyang’s tea; she didn’t think Pei Lin was shallow.

Zhao Feiyang stared at her every move, suddenly feeling a wave of regret. He suddenly realized that what he needed was never Pei Lin, yet somehow he’d arrived at this point. Giving up this marriage? He couldn’t imagine the consequences of doing so.

Bowing out? He had played a crucial role in the restructuring, Changxing was revitalized in his hands; could he quietly leave before taking off? He was unwilling, and since he had resigned from public office, there was no way back. Bowing out meant starting everything over, and he had already made a do-or-die decision back then, he couldn’t afford to lose.

Inside, Zhao Feiyang was in fierce conflict, and in distress, he clutched his left fist tightly.

Xu Ying looked outside the window, a full moon hung high in the night sky, the moonlight in Nanjiang was no different from Dongzhou’s. She knew Zhao Feiyang was never lacking in courage; he just cared about too many things. She could see it, and so could others.

The glass reflected a semi-transparent silhouette of Zhao Feiyang, his face unclear, but his thoughts were transparent. Xu Ying seemed to see Zhao Feiyang gradually sinking into a quagmire; she wanted to lend a hand, but her power was limited, only he could extricate himself.

Tang Jinglun received a call from Zhao Feiyang, he wasn’t surprised, he knew Zhao Feiyang would call sooner or later, just a bit later than he anticipated. After all, coming from a bureaucratic background, Zhao Feiyang still had a bit of pride.

Tang Jinglun heard Zhao Feiyang was in Nanjiang and invited him to play golf at Zong Mountain.

Zhao Feiyang didn’t know how to play golf but when he arrived, Tang Jinglun encouraged him to try. After a few swings, he discovered he might have some talent for it.

As the two walked and chatted, Tang Jinglun said, "Feiyang, you are different now from before, you need to learn to adapt to new management styles and learn to enjoy life." He executed a perfect swing.

Zhao Feiyang said, "Nice shot!"

Tang Jinglun said, "I’ve been playing for so many years, but my skills never improved much. My skills in golf are much like my brother’s in poker, hahaha..."

Zhao Feiyang didn’t speak; was Tang Jinglun making a veiled reference to his brother’s gambling?

The two of them walked onto the green, and Tang Jinglun pointed at a villa in the distance and said, "See that villa?"

Zhao Feiyang nodded, "Yours?"

Tang Jinglun shook his head and said, "Yours!"

Zhao Feiyang was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I can’t accept something for nothing."

Tang Jinglun said, "You played a leading role in the success of this cooperation. I’ve always thought your salary was too low, and the group hadn’t given you due rewards. But I wasn’t in charge of the health sector back then. Now, with changes in the group’s management, I’ve been chosen as the new CEO. My style is such that I reward accomplishments and punish faults."

Zhao Feiyang thought to himself, Tang Jinglun’s generosity was amazing; compared to Tang Jingwei, his style was more magnanimous.

Zhao Feiyang smiled and said, "Let’s wait and see how things turn out when I set up the shareholding system hospital before discussing merits and rewards."

Tang Jinglun said, "You’re not just the director of Changxing Hospital, you’re also my brother-in-law; soon, we’ll be one family. Don’t refuse, this villa is a wedding gift from me to you both."

Zhao Feiyang said, "President Tang, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

"Speak, we’re among friends, no need for formalities." Tang Jinglun warmly patted his shoulder.

Yesterday, I entertained old friends and drank heavily; my hand is swollen from a fall, but I’ll try my best to write something today, it’s tough! Plea for moon tickets for some comfort!